Tax time is right around the corner

Tax time is less than three weeks away, are you aware of all the benefits available to you?

Half of us still have not yet filed our tax returns. An estimated 1.3-million Wisconsin procrastinating taxpayers should consider the billions of dollars overlooked by those who have filed their 2006 returns, including the one-time telephone excise tax refund. That could get you 30 to 60 bucks.

Bert DuMars, IRS Director of the Electronic Tax Administration, says the standard refund is about 30-60-dollars for the so-called long distance tax. DuMars says you should also take advantage of free file. It automatically prompts you to take advantage certain refunds … and it's quick, accurate, safe and secure.

DuMars says this year almost 60-percent of all individual taxpayers nationwide are expected to efile, and Wisconsinites are taking advantage of that feature at a higher percentage than the rest of the country.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is also often overlooked. It helps Americans who work hard but need extra financial support to make ends meet. This year's deadline is April 17th, due to a holiday.